Congress designated each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The Office of Disability Employment Policy has the lead in planning NDEAM activities and materials to increase the public’s awareness of the contributions and skills of American workers with disabilities. Various programs carried out throughout the month also highlight the specific employment barriers that still need to be addressed and removed. The theme for 2014 is “EXPECT, EMPLOY EMPOWER“. Chosen by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, the theme reflects the reality that we can EXPECT people with disabilities to have the desire to join the workforce if they are empowered. For more information on this campaign visit http://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/ndeam/resources.htm#PressRelease and start spreading the message that people with disabilities can not only work, but also demonstrate the nessasary desire and education to do so.

According to the introduction on the website:

“We all have a role to play in — and benefit to gain from — increasing opportunities for meaningful employment for people with disabilities. This year’s theme encapsulates this in three powerful words. It conveys that advancing disability employment is about much more than just hiring. It’s about creating a continuum of inclusion. And the first step on this continuum is expectation,” said Kathy Martinez, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy when announcing this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month theme.

This effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment actually began in 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1962, the word “physically” was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to “National Disability Employment Awareness Month

The local Vocational Rehabilitation office and the Cape Fear Disability Commission (CFDC) are getting ready to partake in the 7th annual NDEAM celebration. These two groups will host an awards ceremony for employers who hire those with disabilities and their outstanding employees. Links to the nomination forms are located on the Endless Options for All Disabilities blog. The deadline to submit a nomination is 5pm Friday, September 5, 2014

After the deadline a selection committee will meet to discuss the nominees. Awards will be given out as part of a reception to be held on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 from 10a.m. to 11:30a.m. in the Human Resources Training Rooms at the NHC Government Center, (230 Government Center Drive Wilmington, NC 28403. Note: This event will replace the regular October meeting of the commission. All nominees are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to attend as this free celebration is to honor you. The September meeting will run as scheduled on the 17th at 10:30a.m. in the Human Resources Training Room. Please help this community celebrate NDEAM by nominating those employees and employers that you feel should be recognized!

For more articles on disability related topics, see David’s blog at http://disabilities.blogs.starnewsonline.com or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/EndlessOptions. Have a question or comment? Reach David via email at david.morrison87@yahoo.com Want to provide public input or address disability concerns? Attend the Cape Fear Disability Commission (CFDC) The group meets the third Wednesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. at the NHC Government Center.

About This Blog

My name is David Morrison. I am a graduate student living with cerebral palsy. As Chair of the Cape Fear Disability Commission, (CFDC), I will keep you informed of its activities, and act as your representative. Through this blog, I hope to improve disability awareness. With my first-hand knowledge and your help we can enhance the lives of those who have different abilities. This is meant to be an open discussion forum. You may wish to raise questions as well as learn about online resources, articles, meetings, events etc. This blog is open to everyone, and active participation is welcome! Check out snippets from my blog in every Saturday’s Local section. Please feel free to comment on anything here via the blog, or by dropping me an email at david.morrison87@yahoo.com